Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project
Project Information from 2011 to 2013
The City of Chino Hills actively engaged with Southern California Edison (SCE) on the TRTP project. Below is a history of the project as it unfolded, with the most current information on top.
SCE Town Hall Meeting October 9, 2013 at City Hall
Southern California Edison invites the community to a Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, October 9th in the Council Chambers at Chino Hills City Hall, 14000 City Center Drive. Doors open at 6:00 pm. SCE officials will provide a project update at 6:30 pm and at 7:30 pm residents may visit various displays and interact one-on-one with experts on topics of interest related to the undergrounding project for the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP). Displays will provide information about the project and its impacts. For project information please visit the TRTP website or phone the TRTP project hotline at 1-877-795-8787. Email TRTP
Town Hall Meeting Invitation (PDF)
August 15, 2013 - CEERT Files a Request for Rehearing
The Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT) filed a request for rehearing of the CPUC's July 11, 2013 decision to underground the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project through a 3.5 mile portion of Chino Hills. Procedurally, after the CPUC issues a decision on request for rehearing, or after 60 days have elapsed, whichever comes first, CEERT may appeal the Commission's decision to the California Court of Appeals.
Note: This action does not stop the undergrounding project and SCE must continue to move forward.
CEERT Request for Rehearing Submittal to CPUC (PDF)
July 11, 2013 - CPUC Votes 3 to 2 in Favor of Undergrounding the TRTP Power Lines in a 3.5 Mile Segment Through Chino Hills
Chino Hills Press Release (PDF)
PR13-073 (PDF) - CPUC Final Ruling to Underground Power Lines for 3.5 Mile Segment Through Chino Hills
Current CPUC Calendar of Next Steps Relative to TRTP Review of Undergrounding Options
(Pages 7, 8, 9 of CPUC November 15, 2012 Amended Scoping Memo and Ruling)
Calendar through July 2013 (subject to change) (PDF)
February 28, 2013 – CPUC Rules Favorably on Interim Decision on Rate Recovery for Preconstruction Activities
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) considered and approved Administrative Law Judge Jean Vieth Proposed Decision on Rate Recovery of Reasonable Costs Associated with Specific Preliminary Activities Necessary to Ensure Timely Completion of Segment 8a of the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project on the consent calendar at their regular meeting.
Southern California Edison requested that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) support rate recovery for reasonable costs it would need to incur in the next few months prior to the Commission's determination on undergrounding of Segment 8a of the TRTP to keep the project on track for commercial operation in late 2015 as scheduled. The ALJ's proposed interim decision ruled favorably that SCE may be entitled to recover expenditures should the Commission decline to authorize undergrounding are a review on the merits. The City of Chino Hills supported rate recovery for SCE to keep the overall TRTP project on track as undergrounding options are reviewed and considered.
February 28, 2013 – CPUC Agenda Item 34 – Interim Decision on Rate Recovery (PDF)
February 28, 2013 - City of Chino Hills Press Release - CPUC Rules Favorably on Rate Recovery (PDF)
February 28, 2013 - CPUC Press Release - CPUC Directs SCE to Begin Pre-construction (PDF)
January 29, 2013 – ALJ Issues Favorable Proposed Decision on Rate Recovery
Administrative Law Judge Jean Vieth Issues Proposed Decision on Rate Recovery of Reasonable Costs Associated with Specific Preliminary Activities Necessary to Ensure Timely Completion of Segment 8a of the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project.
Southern California Edison requested that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) support rate recovery for reasonable costs it would need to incur in the next few months prior to the Commission's determination on undergrounding of Segment 8a of the TRTP to keep the project on track for commercial operation in late 2015 as scheduled. The ALJ's proposed interim decision ruled favorably that SCE may be entitled to recover expenditures should the Commission decline to authorize undergrounding are a review on the merits.
January 29, 2013 - ALJ Issues Proposed Decision on Rate Recovery (PDF)
November 15, 2012 - CPUC Substantially Grants City's Motion
CPUC Issues an Amended Scoping Memo and Ruling of Assigned Commissioner Peevey which grants in substantial part the November 2, 2012 motion by the City of Chino Hills and accordingly, revises the schedule for this proceeding and adjusts the scope. More particularly, this ruling: provides for record development and an interim decision as early as February 28, 2013, on rate recovery associated with specific preliminary contracting by Southern California Edison Company; and Modifies the prior schedule for record development needed to support a final decision as early as July 11, 2013, on whether to modify Decision 09-12-044 to require undergrounding of Segment 8A of the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project.
November 15, 2012 CPUC Amended Scoping Memo and Ruling (PDF)
November 2, 2012 – City of Chino Hills Files Motion at CPUC
City of Chino Hills Filed a Motion with the CPUC for an order directing Southern California Edison Company to submit rate recovery and contracting information to facilitate timely construction of an underground transmission option and for modification of the procedural schedule.
November 2, 2012 City of Chino Hills CPUC Motion (PDF)
TRTP Town Hall Meeting - Thursday, October 11th at 6:30 pm
The City of Chino Hills held a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, October 11th and provided an update on the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project and also took questions from the audience. The meeting was well attended and can be viewed here.
Video of the TRTP Town Hall Meeting - October 11, 2012
SCE to Conduct Soils Testing in Right-of-Way to Comply with CPUC's July 2nd Ruling - August 1, 2012 Through Mid-September
Starting on Wednesday, August 1st, residents may begin to see some activity within the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP) right-of-way. Southern California Edison (SCE) has received permission from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to work in the right-of-way. Equipment and crews will be placing stakes and drilling bores to conduct soils tests as part of the CPUC-ordered preliminary engineering studies of underground options for the TRTP transmission line route running through Chino Hills. Work will include crews, vehicles, survey staking, and ground boring equipment that includes a truck-mounted drill rig within the right-of-way. Work is anticipated to begin on Wednesday, August 1st and continue through mid-September on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The July 2nd ruling of the CPUC directed SCE to develop and submit testimony based on preliminary engineering studies of underground options for a portion of the Chino Hills transmission line route by February 28, 2013. The CPUC has NOT made a determination to underground the transmission lines at this time. The CPUC issued a Stay of Construction on November 10, 2011 that remains in effect. The only work that will take place is work required as part of the preliminary engineering studies of underground options such as the soils testing that is scheduled to occur over the next several weeks.
SCE July 30, 2012 Letter Regarding Work in the Right-of-Way
CPUC President Issues Ruling, Directs SCE to Submit Information on Undergrounding - July 2, 2012
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today issued a Ruling by CPUC President Michael R. Peevey that requires Southern California Edison (SCE) to develop, by February 28, 2013, prepared testimony based on preliminary engineering studies of undergrounding options for a portion of the Chino Hills transmission line route running through the City of Chino Hills.
CPUC Press Release - July 2, 2012
City of Chino Hills Supports President Peevey's Ruling Issues Statement - July 2, 2012
CPUC President Michael R. Peevey issued a Ruling that directs SCE to file extensive new testimony that would provide a basis for the CPUC to approve an underground transmission route for the portion of the TRTP that passes through the center of the City of Chino Hills. The testimony is due February 28, 2013. The City of Chino Hills supports this Ruling. Additionally, the Ruling reaffirmed that the Stay of Construction for Segment 8 through Chino Hills will remain in effect.
City of Chino Hills Statement
City of Chino Hills Press Release - July 2, 2012
Installation of Electrical Wires CANNOT Proceed in Chino Hills June 29, 2012
Residents along the TRTP route received an SCE newsletter dated June 2012 which lists work that will proceed in the next three months on Segment 8. Chino Hills officials have confirmed that the Stay of Construction issued by the California Public Utilities Commission in November of 2011 is still in effect. Electrical transmission wires CANNOT be installed because the CPUC stopped further construction in Chino Hills. If there is any change in the status, now or in the future, the City will provide that information here on the TRTP page of the City website.
Confidential Settlement Negotiations Have Commenced
San Francisco, May 3, 2012 - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today announced that confidential settlement negotiations between Southern California Edison (SCE) and the City of Chino Hills on the routing of a 500-KV power line through the city have commenced.
On November 10, 2011, the CPUC ordered SCE to stop construction work in Chino Hills on the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project in response to an Application for Rehearing and Motion for Partial Stay filed by the City of Chino Hills regarding the CPUC's 2009 decision (D. 09-12-044) approving Segments 4 through 11 of the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project. The negotiations announced today represent an effort by the CPUC, SCE, and the City of Chino Hills to agree upon undergrounding the line beneath the existing right-of-way in the city.
Said CPUC President Michael R. Peevey, "All of us at the CPUC are hopeful these negotiations, with the active involvement of our General Counsel, will be successful and produce an outcome that satisfies the concerns of the citizens of Chino Hills, while fulfilling the transmission needs of SCE and its renewable energy suppliers."
For more information on the CPUC, please visit the CPUC website.
Pre-Conference Hearing at CPUC March 19, 2012
A pre-conference hearing was held at the California Public Utilities Commission in San Francisco on May 19th. The Administrative Law Judge Jean Vieth (ALJ) heard comments from the parties in regards to the need to move forward with a hearing, the scope of testimony anticipated, and the time needed to prepare and present testimony and conduct hearings. The ALJ indicated that she would discuss the information provided with the assigned Commissioner, President Michael J. Peevey. It is the City's expectation that the ALJ will issue a ruling directing how the process will proceed.
Joint Statement Issued by City of Chino Hills & Southern California Edison (SCE) March 6, 2012
Status of Alternative Dispute Resolution
On February 14, 2012, the City of Chino Hills (the City) and Southern California Edison Company (SCE) commenced mediation in an effort to reach a mutually agreeable resolution to the issues raised by the City's Petition for Modification of the CPUC's December 2009 decision authorizing the construction of the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project. Several mediation sessions were held, and proposals advanced by both the City and SCE were thoroughly discussed. These proposals included the alternative construction and route options, and potential infrastructure improvements, described in SCE's Initial and Supplemental Testimony filed in January and February 2012. However, the City and SCE were unable to reach agreement on a resolution which met the needs of both parties. Mediation has been suspended at this time. A Prehearing Conference before a California Public Utilities Commission Administrative Law Judge will occur on March 19, 2012. At that Prehearing Conference, the next procedural steps to address the City's petition will be discussed.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
The City of Chino Hills and SCE began an Alternative Dispute Resolution process which was made available to the parties by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on Tuesday, February 14, 2012.
SCE Submits Testimony to Meet Commission President Peevey's January 10, 2012 Deadline
SCE Review of Alternate Routes (PDF)
Supreme Court Denies City's Petition for Review - December 22, 2011
The City of Chino Hills received word from the City Attorney that the Supreme Court denied the City's petition for review of the Court of Appeal's September 12 decision that affirmed the S.B. County Superior Court Judge's ruling that the Superior Court does not have jurisdiction with regard to the complaint the City filed against SCE based on Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP) Segment 8A "overburdening the easement over City property." (Court of Appeal Case Number E051033.) The decision was posted following the Supreme Court's scheduled conference on Wednesday, December 21.
Press Release - Supreme Court Denies City's Petition for Review (PDF)
President Peevey Directs SCE to Prepare Alternatives for Routing Segment 8 through November 10, 2011
California Public Utilities Commission President Michael R. Peevey issued a ruling directing Southern California Edison Company to prepare alternatives for routing the portion of Segment 8 (Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project) that traverses Chino Hills. The deadline for SCE to serve testimony, with supporting data, on the alternatives is January 10, 2012. Once the Commission reviews the responses, the assigned Administrative Law Judge and the Assigned Commissioner, President Peevey, will determine the next procedural steps, and schedule and inform the parties.
Commissioner's Ruling Directing SCE to Prepare Alternatives for Routing November 10, 2011 (PDF)
The California Public Utilities Commission Grants Stay of Construction - November 10, 2011
The California Public Utilities Commission issued an order granting the City of Chino Hills' Motion for Partial Stay of Decision 09-12-044. This action grants the City's request for a stay of construction pending a Commission decision on Chino Hills' Application for Rehearing.
CPUC Order Granting Partial Stay of Decision (Construction) November 10, 2011 (PDF)
Message From the Mayor Video - TRTP Update (PDF)
City Files Two Petitions with CPUC - October 2011
City Files Application with the California Supreme Court - October 25, 2011
Supreme Court Petition for Review (PDF)
Press Release - City Council Votes to Take Case to Supreme Court
CPUC Orders Temporary Halt to Transmission Line Stringing in Chino Hills
On October 19, 2011, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) sent a letter to Southern California Edison (SCE) regarding the utility's Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project and possible violations of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. For SCE to attain and maintain compliance with FAA regulations, the CPUC has directed the company to take a number of actions, including not performing any new or additional tower construction and conductor stringing in the areas that have a high probability of being subject to FAA mitigations. To that end, conductor stringing in the City of Chino Hills within 1,000 feet of any residence should not be undertaken.
CPUC Letter to SCE - Halt Construction 10-19-2011 (PDF)
TRTP Town Hall Meeting Tuesday, October 4th at 6:30 pm
The City of Chino Hills will provide a TRTP update and take questions from the audience.
Meeting Location: Chino Valley Community Church, 14601 Peyton Drive, Chino Hills
Council Votes to Take TRTP Case to Supreme Court - September 27, 2011
The City Council voted in closed session to file a request with the California Supreme Court to accept review of the Court of Appeal's September 12, 2011 decision relative to the City's complaint filed against SCE based on TRTP Segment 8A "overburdening the easement over City property."
The Court of Appeal Issues Decision - September 12, 2011
The Court of Appeal ruled against the City of Chino Hills The three-judge panel affirmed the Superior Court Judge's ruling that the Superior Court does not have jurisdiction with regard to the complaint the City filed against SCE based on TRTP Segment 8A "overburdening the easement over City property." They affirmed that the California Public Utilities Commission has exclusive jurisdiction. The City Attorney is reviewing the 34-page decision and will advise the City Council.
(Court of Appeal Case Number E051033.)
Court of Appeal Decision (PDF)
Court of Appeal Background
A three-judge panel (Justices Jeffrey King, Carol D. Codrington, and Betty Ann Richli) heard the City's Oral Arguments, and SCE's Rebuttal Argument on June 29, 2011. Each side had 15 minutes. The Justices were deciding a very narrow legal issue regarding whether or not the Trial Court had jurisdiction to hear the case.
The Justices of the Court of Appeal issued a Tentative Opinion in advance of the City's day in court. The Tentative Opinion is issued to give the attorneys an opportunity to focus their arguments and is based upon the Justices' review of the case record.
Court of Appeal – Tentative Opinion (PDF)
SCE Construction Update / October 10th - 14th (PDF)
SCE Construction Notification / May 9, 2011 (PDF)
SCE Construction Notification / July 23, 2011 Alder, Garden Court (PDF)
Visit the Southern California Edison TRTP Project Website
Send an email to Lydia Roman, Public Affairs Director for SCE
Summary of City of Chino Hills' TRTP Efforts (PDF)
Background Information and History of Chino Hills' Efforts
What Can Residents Expect During the Construction?
In general, the first activity residents can expect to see will be crews trimming or removing vegetation in the right-of-way followed by crews removing existing transmission lines, preparing the existing towers for removal, dismantling existing towers, constructing new structures (tubular steel poles and lattice towers), and restringing the transmission lines. Various construction vehicles such as dirt hauling trucks, digging equipment, and cranes will be at work in the right-of-way.
Helicopters will be used to restring the lines and their use falls under the purview of the Federal Aviation Administration. SCE estimates that activity at each tower location is expected to be conducted over a 3 to 4 month period with activity occurring intermittently as each phase progresses. Residents near the right-of-way should close all windows and doors facing the construction area to reduce dust and noise impacts. Please contact SCE if you have questions related to construction activity or schedules. The City of Chino Hills has authority to ensure that construction meets local requirements relative to hours of operation, dirt and dust control, and control of work within road rights-of-ways, etc.
TRTP Segment 8 Through Chino Hills
Work will take place within SCE's existing right-of-way corridor from the City's western border near Tonner Canyon, proceeding northeast (south of Eucalyptus Avenue) to Peyton Drive then continuing east to the Chino Valley Freeway (SR-71).